Buffalo Sabres make comeback, edge Winnipeg Jets in overtime 6-5 -NHL Match Update
Buffalo was on another winning streak after facing a few disappointing losses against struggling teams, but added another to their record by edging the Winnipeg Jets, 6-5, in overtime after making a late third period comeback at the sold-out First Niagara
Center in Buffalo, New York, United States.
Both goalies struggled in the net as they faced shot after shot by the opposing offence. Winnipeg’s, Ondrej Pavelec, was outshot compared to Buffalo’s, Ryan Miller, 45-31, but was equal to his counterpart by falling short on six while the visiting goalie
let five through.
Winnipeg gave the home team surprisingly 12 power play opportunities of which they managed to kill off eight. In the end, their loss was the result of the numerous penalties their players faced, which they must improve to win in the upcoming contests.
"We need to keep the game 5-on-5", Winnipeg Jets head coach, Claude Noel, said about his teams miserable game play. "You can't give the other team 12 penalties and expect to get two points".
Mark Flood and Bryan Little scored two straight to put Winnipeg ahead early in the first period, but as the penalties started rolling, Buffalo was given the chance to capitalise.
Derek Roy scored his third of the season nearly midway through on their second power play opportunity while Corey Tropp potted another only 11 seconds later to level the match.
Tanner Glass made the tie-breaker at the 11:25 mark to put the Jets in the lead once again but Jason Pominville did not let their 4-on-5 man disadvantage affect his game and potted his sixth shorthanded nearly two minutes later.
Bryan Little added their first power play goal of the night early in the second while Thomas Vanek tied it yet again with less than five minutes.
Dustin Byfuglien scored 48 seconds into the third to put Winnipeg ahead and at a comfortable position to further extend the lead but it was Derek Roy at the 13:52 mark to force an uncertain overtime extension with his equaliser with less than seven minutes
to go.
Thomas Vanek reached double digits in his scoring by registering his 10th goal of the season and his second of the night with 25 seconds remaining in overtime to take the match and save his team from a doubtful shootout.
Buffalo Sabres hope to win their fourth straight when they face-off against the Ottawa Senators on Friday while Winnipeg Jets return home to host the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
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